Thoughts for another day

June 28, 2013.

Today's verse: Eph. 3:19. And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God. (KJV)

(Pls. read the above before you read further.  Thanks)

As I write this, I feel such a stirring of the Holy Spirit in me that honestly, I’m feeling His love wash upon me.  A love so strong, so pure and so fulfilling that it can only be His love for no human being can ever love that way.  Humans do love each other and we know that; because there’re different kinds of relationships like father-son, husband-wife, mother-daughter, etc. and those in a relationship usually love each other immensely with no strings attached.  But, that God should love without any strings attached and that too, fallen man, well that’s something very hard to ingest, for who can ever love so?

When I look at the Gospels and picture Jesus, I can see Him reaching out to people even on the Sabbath and healing them.  We know that doing that was a dangerous thing in Israel for the keepers of the nation’s laws, needed but that, as an excuse to literally nail a man.  Now Jesus did it not because He had the healing power so He should heal and reveal His power before men: but because He so loved us that He could not bear to see us in our misery and He utilized His power to provide solace and comfort.

Truly as our Word tells us today, Jesus’ love passes all knowledge.  It’s just beyond comprehension for when I know retribution must come, a blessing comes; when wrath must take hold, His mercy shows up instead.  Such is our God, who across all generations, has loved us and made us His own; yet He has to beg us to be with Him.  We’ve treated Him so basely; and have no room for Him in our lives, but He waits for us.  He reaches out again and again and when we in look up to Him, He fills us with His fullness which, to say the least, is an enigmatic and exciting experience.   And we’re grateful for God’s love, for each time it hits us, we’re moved to a higher plane, into the realm of God.  In this realm, there’s only a great feeling of joy and happiness and unbridled serenity. 

Thoughts for another day

June 27, 2013.

Today's verse: Heb. 12:11. Now, discipline always seems painful rather than pleasant at the time, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it. (NRSV)

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God is a keen task Master and He disciplines the one He chooses so the person may fall in line with His ways, else he lose his way and steer away from God. That’s why many people in the renewal or those who have come close to God are initially and then at every stage of growth are led to such discipline that at times they want to give up.  But as the Bible says, with every trial, God also gives the Grace to bear the trial and does not allow the person to bend.

I know of many brothers and sisters who are suddenly in the midst of bliss plunged into a crisis and they really can’t see any reason for the crisis; for one might say, it just happens and there was no way you could avoid it.  Very recently, a Christian brother, an ardent servant of the Lord had a minor crisis in terms of persecution and just when he was getting out of it, another followed it which is of a more serious nature for it concerns custodianship of funds, which funds this brother, through no fault of his, literally lost because of the unscrupulousness of the person he gave it to, in exchange for a piece of land on which this brother could build a home for destitute girls.

Both these incidents have made the brother’s heart a little weaker I guess, for a person walking in God’s ways is usually soft and in peace; and rarely experiences these kinds of things.  But this brother is now shaken.  It’s very easy for us to console him and say, ‘Don’t worry brother, God will take care.’ And we’ll even mean it for we know God does it and we also know God will do it for him.  But at the moment of trouble, it’s extremely difficult to keep the faith.  Yet, we know that discipline is good for us and it will cleanse us of the dirt of the world and keep us before Him; and eventually the fruit of righteousness will burst from within us even as we stay focused on our God-given task and continue to trust Him completely.  Eventually it must happen, yea, I’ll say that again, it must happen that God will raise us up and lift us high, shining in our new coats, having passed the test.

Thoughts for another day

June 26, 2013.

Today's verse: Ezek. 11:19. And I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within you; and I will take the stony heart out of their flesh, and will give them an heart of flesh: (KJV)

(Pls. read the above before you read further.  Thanks)

I once met a lady at a talk on soft skills.  She is a friendly person and we had animated conversations about self and other things.  While in conversation, she suddenly told me how she had changed so much; how she, who was so humble and soft tempered, had come to be hot tempered and patience-less and that had made her join up for the talk.  Much later, I realised the import of what she told me and that I too had changed so much from the friendly youngster in church to a no-nonsense, prude person with no tolerance toward anyone who didn’t do things according to what I held as the right way of doing them.

On further introspection, I realised that in the spiritual area too, I had become so intolerant and also fairly unlikeable because of my seemingly, ‘lofty’ attitude and insulting mannerisms.  It dawned on me that a great number of my sins were because of this character I had unwittingly developed for myself over the years that I grew up, and settled down in life.  So strong is my negative character that even if I desire to change, it’s virtually impossible. 

One of the desires of my heart which I bare before God in prayer is that He convert my heart and make me a person who people trust in and would want to go often to.  And I also discovered ‘only God can do it’ and He is doing it, even if very slowly, He is doing it.  It takes me to our Word above where God says He will give them a new heart of flesh.  Our hearts over the years become stony and cold and indifferent to both God and people.  At this point in life, we’re in total consonance with the world: arrogant, pompous; disregarding the call to change and unwilling to surrender even an inch to anyone who we consider plebeian or less than us.  Much as we try to change, we just cannot for it’s a war against the dark being and has to be fought on the Spiritual level.  Only God brings us to this level and only God equips us with the strength to stand and face the enemy.  And here is His promise in His Word that He will do it and it is good for all of us who’re sick of our own attitudes and want to change to our God given natures, so we can do His appointed task well.

Thoughts for another day

June 25, 2013.

Today's verse: 2 Tim. 1:12a. For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, (KJV)

(Pls. read the above before you read further.  Thanks)

In these days of total depravation in the world, how can a man who leans toward God stay, for see there’s so much wickedness on one side; then there’s so much trouble on the other.  Besides, people like us who want to take the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ, face so much opposition, first from our own people, like if you belong to a church then the heads of the church when they hear of it, instead of encouraging you, try to sow fear and insult at the same time.  What do we do in these difficult situations?  And know this; we have to go through the same.

The answer though simple, is also difficult but possible to do: that is to believe in our wonderful God.  Now, belief in Him, well everyone has, but belief when one is sinking…?  That’s the kind of belief one must have and, you can have that belief.  Here’s why – if you remember Peter; he started walking on the water, but then began to sink and he cried out, ‘Lord save me’ and Jesus saved him immediately.  You may say, but Peter saw Jesus; yeah Peter did see Jesus, but suppose he didn’t, then would Jesus not help him?  That’s exactly the situation now.  We don’t see Him, but He is there because He said, ‘I AM with you always!’  And when you cry out, He will help.

My friend, it’s a question of our faith.  You see if I believe He is with me, then how can He not help me?  Keeping the faith is crucial and can be built just like, let’s say your muscles; by reminding yourself how he helped the last time you were in trouble.  Constantly tell yourself He will do it again and then faith will arise in you; and this isn’t of me, it’s His way, which is why He commanded Moses to write down all the great works He did in Egypt so the people would remember them and worship Him and be assured of His protection, when needed.  Therefore, to keep faith you need to constantly remind yourself of His Presence.  I wish God would drop the scales from our eyes and then we who are devoted to Him would be able to see His holy angels around keeping us warm and away from harm.  As for me, no matter what the storm in my life, I will believe and I will not be upset with the little trials He sends me, neither will I be ashamed, for I know Him, Who I have believed!

Thoughts for another day

June 24, 2013.

Today's verse: Ps. 3:8. Safety comes from the LORD! Your blessing for Your people. (NAB – copy. ack.)

(Pls. read the above before you read further.  Thanks)

In these days, news channels in India are inundated with terrifying visuals of destruction caused by the fury of nature and such like things.  Day by day, the whole of last week we’ve been seeing images of people, completely shattered by what happened to them in places of pilgrim interest in one of the states of India, Uttarakhand.  Thousands have died and even thousands are stranded in places difficult to reach.  Rescuers are working hard and feverishly round the clock, with no regard to their own lives and doing so much, yet there’s more to do: so many people to be rescued.   As I see them, my hearts cries with them.  They’re not Christian, yet, my Father in heaven has created them too and to see them in such misery fills me with grief and I pray to God that He help them.   I will that the Lord Jesus be with them and give them comfort even as He did the people who followed Him around places in Israel.

There’re various other things which leave you with a sense of gloom and fear; and people I speak to are mostly resigned about things happening around them, even as the rain pours down incessantly.  But then, I’m continuing in a spirit of happiness and peace.  Of course fear stalks my heart too as the evil one is fast and furiously using the weapon he knows how to use best: fear.  Yet, the LORD God, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob, is merciful to me and to many of us Christians because He is constantly speaking to us and encouraging us powerfully.

I take our Word today as an encouragement from Him, Almighty God for whom all things are possible.  He says, ‘safety comes from Him.’ And truly it does, for why is it that one individual perishes in a disaster and another is unscathed.  Why is it that some are shamed for small errors and others make bigger ones and aren’t?  It’s because God wills it that way.  And to us who believe in His Son Jesus Christ, there’s the guarantee of ‘His safety.’  I also bring to mind another Word, ‘The LORD will keep you from all harm— he will watch over your life’; Ps. 121:7.  Put this in your mind and seal it up.  Look it over and over again and when the tide has turned and you’re well, then you’ll know the power of God’s Word and remember, God is faithful and can be trusted on His Word.  

Thoughts for another day

June 21, 2013.

Today's verse: Jn. 3:18. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. (KJV)

(Pls. read the above before you read further.  Thanks)

Much before the world was formed, as the bible lays hint to, God knew His most beautiful creation, man, would sin and so God had a plan: His Only Son Jesus Christ was to go to earth as a Man and die to redeem him.  As time unfolded, Jesus came and lived among us; He knew our pain and suffering, our joys and comforts, and every aspect of human nature.  When it came for Him to go and die for us, He didn’t dither, but went willingly and gave up His life to fulfill His Father’s will.  Then the Father brought about the great event of Jesus’ resurrection, an event never paralleled before and never ever, again.

This meant the doors of heaven which were hitherto closed, opened up; the chasm between God and man was bridged by the Glorious Cross of Jesus.  The only condition was: man had to believe in This; particularly that Jesus Christ was the Son of God.  You see the Trinitarian nature of God was revealed at the time of Jesus, by which God gave us a rare insight into His being.   God opened up an inner stream of mercy which could be seen in Jesus by which, He, always had compassion and love for people, even at grave risk for His life; for were He to not work good on the Sabbath, He perhaps wouldn’t have antagonized the Pharisees and Scribes, who directed the path of religion for the Jews.

But because Jesus was God and He loved His people, He did what He did for them.  And so began the confrontation between Him and them.  They overlooked His work and mission, adamantly refusing to believe He was the Son of God, blinded by their own pride and reasoning.  Therefore, our Word today, tells us they’re already condemned.  But for those who believed in Him, they also were given the right to be called the children of God (Jn. 1:12).  It’s rather tragic that the people who should have recognized Jesus and spoken about Him to the people, because of obduracy, refused to give Him the title of the ‘Christ’ and perished; and the sad thing is, they took many others with them.  But we’re not to follow them and hold fast to our faith in Christ as the Son of God, renouncing every other teaching to the contrary, so that in the world to come, by His Grace, mercy and love, we may stand before Him and live with Him.

Thoughts for another day

June 20, 2013.

Today's verse: Mt. 15:8. This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. (KJV)

(Pls. read the above before you read further.  Thanks)

In the many churches we have, the leaders, pastors, priests, etc. exhort the faithful to do many things which in their knowledge or opinion, honors God; and the chief practice that many advocate is, prayer.  In fact the exhortation to prayer is a great character of the church and even before the Christian church began, the fore-runners that is the Jews, had the practice of prayer in their lives. 

As to the action of prayer, there’s no issue because we know that closeness to God means praying and by praying it can be seen that one is close to God. However, many Christians actually don’t know how to pray.  You may ask, what do you know about prayer that I don’t; I’ll say, prayer is nothing but a word, a sentence or a conversation with God.  It’s not and I repeat, not a monotonous repetition of the same words, used day by day, repeated by rote and often said unthinkingly.   There’re some who very devotedly pray, repeating the same words over and over again and it happens in many churches and many denominations and really it’s nothing but a waste of time.  God in His mercy, because He has seen you keep aside some time to be in His Presence may give you Graces untold, but don’t even think it is because you prayed.

Real prayer is an intense slogging on God’s turf: seeking Him, His Presence and His Glory.  Real prayer considers not your sacrifice of keeping time for prayer, rather it demands you do that; it’s anxious to be noticed by the Almighty and if He hasn’t, you question how serious was your effort in calling out to Him so He may send His glance toward you.  Real prayer is when you forget yourself and dive deep into the vastness of God; then maybe glean a wee bit of the knowledge of God and Who He really is.  It’s in that moment of intense reflection that you discover who you are vis-à-vis God and how solid you are because of Him.  The publican was lauded by Jesus because he of all, had been able to really pray.  I believe we must ask ourselves a question:  Do I draw near to Him with my mouth and my heart miles away; do I honor Him with my lips but deep within am cold to Him?

Thoughts for another day

June 19, 2013.

Today's verse: Pro. 3:27. Do not withhold good from those who deserve it, when it is in your power to act.  (KJV)

(Pls. read the above before you read further.  Thanks)

My neighbor was suffered from pneumonia and acute fever and was advised hospitalization.  He had lost his job; his wife had no job and the children were studying.  She came to me crying, saying they didn’t have money for the hospitalization; that she wanted a small loan which they’d repay.  Well miser that I was, I said I too didn’t have much money; what with this problem and that problem but if she wanted I could give a few rupees (Indian currency) which was almost like giving alms.  She cried, saying thanks for the offer and politely rejected it.  She went, to the neighbors, her relatives and friends; even to the church; everyone gave the same excuse.  But they were all willing to give little crumbs which couldn’t even meet the hospital expenses for a day.

The man became serious; slipped into a coma and was rushed to the government hospital, a dirty place where none moved unless bribed.  The staff was rude and callous and the doctors, well if they got time from their private practice, would spend a few minutes with these patients.  Finally, the man died!  At the funeral, the widow in her address between sobs sorely bemoaned lack of Christian charity; wondering what she’d do now.  At the end of the service, many came to her saying, had she approached them, they’d have helped; what about now?  Well, they replied, come and see us and we’ll see!  And she knew what we’ll see meant!  Ultimately, the lady was forced to do menial work and even had one of her three children removed from college and work!

Now today’s Scripture is pretty cutting isn’t it.  When I refused to help the lady, I knew none would help her and so comforted self, even with the question, were I in her situation, would she help me?  I knew she wouldn’t!  I sat on tons of money, in the bank and in other financial instruments, but a tiny bit, which perhaps wouldn’t even be seen because of the largeness of my fortune would’ve saved her husband, but I didn’t give it.  It made me feel like an animal.  Yea, what a fine example I was of a Christian; a family destroyed because I didn’t want to spare a little money; money sitting in the bank, idling, doing nothing.  It could’ve saved a life, but remained idle.  What good is money if it allows a person to die?  I never realised the power money had to help people, using it always for gratification of self and family.  Would Jesus approve?  Never; and the sad part is there’re many Christians like me who do the same and they’ve absolutely no qualms then to come to church as if nothing happened; and rejoice!  We shouldn’t be rejoicing but mourning for if the love with which the Savior loved us cannot make us love our neighbor appropriately, what right do we have to call ourselves Christian; and think about it…Am I one!  My friend, it’s time we changed and treated the Body of Christ exactly like it is…the Body of Christ.  His blessings will flow.

Thoughts for another day

June 18, 2013.

Today's verse: Ps. 139:23, 24. Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. (KJV)

(Pls. read the above before you read further.  Thanks)

Sweet are the moments when the human heart, by sheer knowledge of God and His Holiness, is pained by the crude and insensitive ways, in which it has offended the Most High.  We don’t know or rather choose not to know, but we offend the Lord so much.  In our thoughts, words and actions; we tend to be His enemies.  We’re not even aware that God is hurt by our callous ways and even if we are, we continue as if it doesn’t matter.  Few are the men who by virtue of their carnal nature do the wrong they don’t want to do, but keep talking to the Lord and begging Him pardon, which of course is the right thing to do; though avoidable by simply not sinning.

In this context, our Scripture today, shows an extraordinary desire to be right before God and it is David, the man after God’s own heart who shows us the way – the way of being vexed by repeatedly sinning; the way of despairing of wickedness in self and the way of being right before God in heart and thought.   My friend, gladly would we be willing to give immense thanks if we get a costly and pleasurable object on earth and we would bow and bend before the person who gave it to us; yet, when it comes to eternal life and God, we don’t seem to care.  It’s as if it’s taken for granted that we will be in eternal dwellings, even if we go on sinning and hurting God.

But today and always, we let God know and talk to Him as with a friend, which He is and tell Him, ‘Search me O God and know my heart:  Look deep into me and try me…learn my innermost secrets and thoughts and even the tendencies to hurt You, my loving God and reveal and destroy the wickedness in me and keep me on level path by which I may walk in the light of Your countenance in the way everlasting and there in Your Presence, delighting in You, worship You forever. Amen.

Thoughts for another day

June 17, 2013.

Today's verse: Ro. 10:11. For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.  (KJV)

(Pls. read the above before you read further.  Thanks)

In living life there’re occasions when we’re called to act according to the faith we have in God; which means, if we’re down then we act as if we’re up.  If we’re poor then we have to believe we’re rich and when we’re weak, we believe we’re strong.  Many times, this belief and our consequent actions are not congruent to the ways of the world which is why people around you seem surprised at the way we behave or act.

See, it’s really difficult to please the world when our faith is absolutely strong.  When the boat had taken in water and was rocking end to end, Jesus didn’t act as if He was about to drown, even though the disciples were alarmed and scared to death, He slept fitfully as if totally unaware of the situation.  Now what can one say of such behavior except that the person who behaves so is insane!  Was Jesus even remotely that?  No, never; He was just displaying immense trust in His Father, God Almighty and because He had such trust, He could be at peace even in the midst of the storm.  One, might then say, ‘how come His Father, didn’t rescue Him when He went to the Cross?’  To that the answer is, there was a purpose God had willed in Jesus’ life and that purpose had to be fulfilled.  How could Jesus escape from that purpose?  For that matter we’ll also not escape the purpose God has brought us into this world for; and He will accomplish it in us.  Only we must believe that God is all-powerful and able; and He will do it for us…for me specifically.

The level of faith and the intensity within us to accomplish God’s purpose determines whether we’re happy moving into God’s purpose in our lives or whether we are surly and obstinate.  Of one thing I am sure and that is: when we hold on to the faith that God has put in us, even if all around things are crumbling, He will not forsake or dismay us.  You see, God is honored much by the faith we put in Him, no matter who we are and the sins we’ve committed.  He in turn honors the faith we have in Him and that’s what brings about the results in our favor; there’s no other way for know ye that God’s Word and purpose never fail, even if heaven and earth fade away.

Thoughts for another day

June 14, 2013.

Today's verse: Ro. 8:18. For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.  (KJV)

(Pls. read the above before you read further.  Thanks)

I look at the persecution of Christians around the world: A family wiped out in a remote village in Sudan; then a church bombed in Nigeria, twelve worshippers killed, twenty-three wounded.  Then in Iran, a Pastor jailed and labeled a traitor, not because he did anything wrong, but because he’s a Christian, spreading Christ’s love to his neighbors and they in jealousy do whatever they wish to him for their religion allows them to – no questions asked.  In another instance, in a muslim country, a Pastor returns from a preaching mission, only to discover his two young sons grotesquely and brutally murdered – their fault, they are sons of a ‘Christian’ preacher. 

Christian homes are plundered in broad daylight; they’re set on fire with their young children in vehicles, they’re hung from the roofs or from tree trunks or even buried alive after inhuman torture even to uprooting their nails and pouring acid down their throats.  They’re indiscriminated against, beaten and robbed and disgraced; all because they’re Christian.  Recently, a Christian man in India married a girl he loved and who loved him too.  The girl’s father warned him to change his religion and when he didn’t, they murdered him.  O, the travails of the children of God who choose to follow His Son Jesus Christ.  And remember, everyone who lives in a non-Christian country is always at risk.  There could be a flare up anytime and they could be killed.  Recently, a friend and his companions, were attacked in Orissa, infamous for its fundamentalists, but miraculously escaped their attackers.  It’s when I learnt of this that it occurred to me how close we are to persecution.

Then again, when I think of Christ, I’m proud that our Savior too was persecuted and killed, not by ‘others’ as one would say, but by His own to whom He was sent!  Then on, countless numbers of our brothers and sisters who chose Christ were killed and they went willingly to their deaths, a smile on their faces and the indelible stamp of the hope of resurrection.  Takes me to our Word today: I know the sufferings of our present time, are nothing compared to the glory that will be revealed in us at the time our Savior comes; and we’ll be raised, just as He said, ‘I will raise him up, on the last day.’  And then we’ll see the brilliance of the mansion in the sky wherein our Bridegroom has already prepared a room for us to be with Him eternally.  So now who cares what happens to us over here when the reward for our steadfastness in Christ is so awesomely glorious and beautiful.

Thoughts for another day

June 13, 2013.

Today's verse: Lk. 12:15. And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.  (KJV)

(Pls. read the above before you read further.  Thanks)

A look at the world today and you quickly understand its money that drives it.  People have the notion that money can buy everything.  They believe there’s nothing so sacrosanct that cannot be bought and therefore they conclude, if you have the money, then you have the power because you can buy everything.  This gives rise to greed; first a little, then more and then a little more and then insatiable greed in which a man is willing to do anything to get that money; you see now the power of money is transferred to a man who can now do anything to get the booty.  Cheating and murder is the consequence and people are willing to do even more, to even destroy families; just for money.

Look how greed has seeped gently but surely into society:  Where I live, it’s essentials like milk, eggs, rice and other food items, needed to subsist, whose prices have risen exponentially without cause; but the authorities, who have got their cuts, give lame excuses saying prices of raw materials have risen; but then how can they rise so fast and so often?  Doctors and hospitals charge huge amounts to rich or poor patients; well being they seem to say, depends on the size of your pocket. That noble profession of medicine has been inked black.  Again where I live, rickshaw drivers, bus transportation companies, etc. are keen to increase their prices; and many of them cheat using nefarious means, e.g. rickshaw drivers tampering their meters to show increased fares; vegetable sellers and others tampering their weighing machines, etc.  Oh, how they cheat…  At the end of the day, what do they achieve?  Nothing.  And in their homes there’s no happiness.  Their children are unruly; parents are at each others’ necks; their homes are as good as non-existent.

It takes me to the Scripture above, ‘a man’s life does not consist in the possession of abundance.’  How true Jesus’ statement is and how far we’re from it.  It’s sad that values have been replaced by greed; absolute and obnoxious greed.  But for us who believe in Christ and who’re abiding by His laws, greed has no effect as we live, in this greed-driven world, in the old fashioned but good, way of God.  In which alone is happiness and eventual victory.

Thoughts for another day

June 12, 2013.

Today's verse: Ex. 33:13a. If you are pleased with me, teach me your ways so I may know you and continue to find favor with you. (NIV – copy. ack.)

(Pls. read the above before you read further.  Thanks)

If there ever was a conversation between God and man that touched the heart touched powerfully, it is I believe, in this chapter where the full emotion of a man talking to God is known.  And if ever there was God talking to a human being, it is here and believe me, I’ve always read this chapter with a good amount of emotion as I see in it a God, so beautiful and so good, and very, very faithful to those who live in no fault before Him.

What I’ve experienced in my emotional tryst through this passage is seen also in our Scripture today in which is such a passionate plea of Moses.  Moses has discovered the One before whom he must bow and the discovery and resultant feeling is so fabulous, that bowing before Him creates pangs of unending pleasure within him.  He senses that God’s favor is on him, as God spoke to him as a man would, to man; and Moses knew that God Almighty, The Fearsome One, glorious beyond all account spoke only to him.  I’m confident His senses came alive, the moment God spoke to him and caressed his countenance.  In those moments, Moses came to the height of his living for he basked in the favor God showed him.  Therefore, Moses spoke and told Him, If You are pleased with me, teach me Your ways so that I may know You and continue to find favor with You.

See, Moses had experienced what many prophets had only envisaged: the tremendousness of the Presence of God.  This was exultation beyond comprehension and Moses knew it was good and so implored the Lord to teach him His ways so that he would know Him even more and continue to find His favor.  People of God; consider this, in your prayer, if you’ve had the privileged to experience God’s hand over your life, indulge more in this feeling; it’s a fantastic and wholesome feeling whereby you also get rejuvenated within.  Crave this feeling with God and you will live.

Thoughts for another day

June 11, 2013.

Today's verse: Jer. 14:22. Can any idols of the nations bring rain? Or can the heavens give showers? Is it not you, O LORD our God? We set our hope on you, for it is you who do all this. (NRSV – copy. ack.)

(Pls. read the above before you read further.  Thanks)

Sometimes when I’m in prayer, I hear in the distance the sound of rain, pleasant to my ears and cooling to the earth and more importantly, life to those who have life on earth.  It’s on the instance of the rains that the trees of the field bloom in all their rich green canopies full of life; and swing with the wind in an act of giving glory to God for He gives them abundant water to drink and thus sustains their lives.  All rivers, streams, ponds, springs, oceans, etc. are rejuvenated with the fresh rains and if you watch them closely, you’ll notice the joy in which they dance in delight in performing the task God has set them up for.

But who has sent the rains?  It is the LORD God Almighty by whose hand it has been sent on earth, in time and in the right quantity lest lives perish.  Year after year, across all ages, it is the LORD our God who does this for us and we bow our heads and say, ‘O LORD God, You are so faithful and so adequate, for look, across the ages, the no. of creatures has increased many fold, yet they’re not denied water; there is Your sufficiency for each one of them and it is possible only unto You our God with whom all things are possible.’   Then this thought comes to my mind that though it is the Lord who gives us the rains, there’re men who think it’s their idols to whom they perform rituals which give rains on the earth and I laugh to myself for these idols which need to be lifted up and carted around, are accorded with the great act of giving the rains!

But we know it is the Lord and we believe He will give us the rains long after one idol gives way to another for those who worship them will tire of them and make something else to be their gods.  But our LORD God will be the same.  Therefore, O God, we set our hope on You for it is You who do all these things for us, sustaining us and keeping our lives in good shape, because You love us and make us live.  Unto You shall our song of praise be and unto You alone be all the glory that can ever emanate from the mouths of men all over the world.  Amen.

Thoughts for another day

June 10, 2013.

Today's verse: Ps. 27:5. For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock. (KJV)

(Pls. read the above before you read further.  Thanks)

Where do we go when faced with trouble and what do we do when we stare at disaster in the eye and it looms so large that fear gnaws at us and it looks as if we are to be swallowed into oblivion soon.   The kind of person you are and the nature of your relationship with God determines whether you look up or you look around.  If you’re looking around, it means your soul is not inundated with the moisture of prayer and your eye is nothing but, a vacillating instrument when it comes to looking at God.

But I, though a sinner and one who offends Him often and sometimes even grievously, choose not to look around, for in the nettles and thorns of the world around, it may seem I’ve found an ally, but know they are enemies in disguise.  So therefore in the time of trouble and distress, when the heart is heavy with pain, I and people of my ilk, look up to the hills for our help comes from there.  Thence is the sure-fire recipe for a life filled with confidence and fearlessness, for we say: In time of trouble, He shall hide us in His pavilion; in the secret of His Tabernacle He shall hide us and set us up on a rock, to be rid of the warring floods around our knees.

Then His help comes quickly for He delights in us when we’re able to stand up in the midst of our disaster and proclaim His Name – believe me that’s a difficult and queer thing to do; queer because the world jeers at those who trust in Him Who can’t be seen and Who they hold responsible for the disaster in the first place, even when He should have safe-guarded from it.  But for us who do call on His Name when all hope has dried up, He extends His hand for behold, the LORD God, the Mighty One of Jacob, cannot bear to see our tears.  Test us though He will, He yet cannot see us cry and He sends His redemption – a complete and comforting act by which we’re able to get on our knees and ring our praises to Him powered by the wind in our lungs and the power in our loins, given by Him.

Thoughts for another day

June 7, 2013.

Today's verse: Romans 11:33. O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out! (KJV)

(Pls. read the above before you read further.  Thanks)

A question: Have you known God; if you have what do you think of Him? 

Were I faced with this question, I’d say, yeah, I’ve known God and He is, Holy, Almighty, Awesome and in every way Eternal and Omniscient, etc.  But when I think further, I realise, this could be something anyone could say of God.  This much is known by everybody and anybody could give this answer isn’t it?  But it’s nowhere near to what a man who knows Him will answer.  Well, I feel bad I thought of what God is like and answered; and then got the reply that it’s anybody’s answer!  But isn’t it correct, isn’t that an answer anyone could give? 

I think – is there an answer that makes sense to me of God, an answer that could pertain only to me and be mine alone.  Is there an experience or a touch I could speak of and say, ‘Hey, that’s the experience of a lifetime?’  Paul had one on the way to Tarsus and what a change that brought in him; is there something similar I can talk of?  Perhaps, I could, but then I need to be dwelling under the shadow of His wings.  Of course He is Sovereign and He may not answer and sometimes, He answers without anyone asking Him as He did, Paul.  Be that as it may, the best position I could be in, to know Him atleast a little is to be kneeling or prostrating before Him, abandoning myself and caring not even a pittance what the world thinks of me.

Then God reveals Himself: He touches and suddenly I realise how big He is.  O the depth of the riches both of His wisdom and knowledge; yea knowledge of Him who is all in all.  Then when I feel I’ve been able to know God, my mind gets into disarray and I realise I know nothing of Him.  I think I know a lot, but of the One Who is so infinite, I may think I know one thing; and suddenly a thousand crop up which I don’t know!  Slowly I realise that to know God isn’t to know His breadth, depth, etc. but His love and His holiness and in this knowledge, make myself, pleasing to Him.

Thoughts for another day

June 6, 2013.

Today's verse: Gen. 22:13. And Abraham lifted up his eyes, and looked, and behold behind him a ram caught in a thicket by his horns: and Abraham went and took the ram, and offered him up for a burnt offering in the stead of his son. (KJV)

(Pls. read the above before you read further.  Thanks)

We’re familiar with this episode in the Bible pertaining to Abraham’s readiness to sacrifice his only son in obedience of God’s command; the son got after God promised; after much time, in his old age when the ability of producing one was literally impossible.  Now God was pleased with Abraham as he had willingly obeyed Him and then stopped him from sacrificing Isaac and provided a ram for the burnt offering instead whereby also we get the term in the next verse, ‘Yahweh Yireh’ which translated means, the Lord will see and we take it as the’ Lord will provide.’  It’s a beautiful reminder of what God can do for us when we trust Him completely. 

But let’s delve deeper in this act of Abraham:  we see the old man; having no clue God would stop him from sacrificing his son, going ahead to obey Him.  How many thoughts must’ve roamed in his old brain as Isaac asked him, ‘here am I your son and the fire and the wood; but where’s the lamb for the burnt offering?’  What anguish would have cut his heart for his son, his only son, whom he had held in his hand for a few years, joying in those ‘buttonny’ eyes that lit in laughter when the old man hurled him high and then held him as he came down.  But Abraham wasn’t to vacillate or swayed otherwise or argue with God; even though the command felt strange for look, He gives him a son after so long and then asks to sacrifice him!  No, the old man had faith and his faith told him that if God could give him a son at age hundred, he could do that even after many years!

Let’s look further: Look God saw it all and was pleased and as soon as Abraham lifted up his knife, He bid him stop.  Then on Good Friday, God saw the entire drama on earth; the way His Son, His only begotten Son, was treated: scourged to the chilling of the marrow in His bones, spat upon, sneered and jeered at, looked down on and then brutally crucified!  God even heard the shrill cry, ‘My God My God, why have You forsaken Me?’  But God did not relent; He turned the other way.  What had to happen, had to happen.  His Son was sacrificed for our sins.  My friend such is our God.  When it came to His only Son, He didn’t melt at His tears and save Him, but when He sees our tears, He melts.  I implore you today to see His love for you and be good to Him.

Thoughts for another day

June 5, 2013.

Today's verse: Hosea 6:6. For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings. (KJV)

(Pls. read the above before you read further.  Thanks)

A man once desired to please God so he could get from Him what he needed.  In his view the way to please God was to chant many prayers and offer diverse sacrifices.  So, he chanted various prayers and offered sacrifices, as many as he could afford.  He did this incessantly, but even after a long time didn’t receive what he wanted; and he was very sad.  Then one day with tears in his eyes, he prayed and told God about his misery and pain and how God never looked at them; why, Lord why?  He asked the Lord. 

The Lord in His mercy spoke to Him saying, ‘My son, let me ask you some questions and you’ll have an answer for all you ask:

·      You spent much money on lambs for sacrifice, but did you notice the beggar opposite your house; that he is suffering and miserable and hungry?  What did you do for him?

·      In muttering gibberish that you never really understood, did you really think you prayed, and your heart was never really in it, how then can it be called prayer but a deluge of meaningless words?

·      How much time do you really spend with Me normally; and even the little time you spend today, is because you’ve fallen on hard times.

The man was ashamed at what God told him and he promised he would mend his ways. 

My friend what ailed the man in his relationship with God, ails most of us for we consider not what God wants but what we in our foolishness have decided He wants.  Look at our Word above and you have what God wants:  mercy toward our fellow human beings and knowledge of Him who is our Father.  And this dovetails beautifully in the Lord’s diktat – You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your strength and all your mind and you shall love your neighbor as yourself.   That is enough and if we do that, it won’t be long before the Lord, shows forth His mighty hand in our favor, giving us whatever we want and have asked for in faith. 

Thoughts for another day

June 4, 2013.

Today's verse: Job 1:8 And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil? (KJV)

(Pls. read the above before you read further.  Thanks)

It’s rather rare in the Bible that the Lord God makes such a wonderful statement about people and Job is one of them.  The Book of Job is indeed a mystery as to the reason why it happened as it did.  Why did it happen that God got into a wager with satan over Job, a righteous man from the land of Uz, obviously not a Jewish territory, though we’re told that Job did follow the prescriptions the Jews were to follow.  A wager which He, being omniscient, knew He would win. 

There’re many theories propounded by scholars and academicians as well as men of God as to why it happened the way it did, and each looks primarily at the suffering of Job to be central to the reason for the Book of Job; thereby to give courage and hope to all those who suffer and this of course is good.  While the Book of Job is probably the best treatise on unmerited suffering, assuming of course that bearing abhorrence to society would merit suffering, which Job didn’t bear; I believe we miss the point, that is God’s belief in Job and Job’s fidelity to Him.  Look at God’s statement, ‘Have you considered my servant Job that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one who fears God and shuns evil’, what a thing of pride for a man that God can say this about him!

You know, there’s something different about servants of God: they’re meant to suffer for God and while doing it are also to keep themselves in good spirits.  Sometimes in their pain, they may in their moments of solitude with God, look at Him accusingly, abetted by their human weakness, but before others they’re reconciled to the suffering and many even praise God for it and stay steadfast in their devotion to Him.  Believe me it’s difficult to stay steadfast in God when trouble hammers but when that happens, it’s time to look up to the hills from whence our help comes and when we’re able to do that, some day God will say, ‘Look at my servant….see how, though I sent him trouble, he unflinchingly believes in me! 

Thoughts for another day

June 3, 2013.

Today's verse: 2 Mac. 15:8 Wherefore he exhorted his people not to fear the coming of the heathen against them, but to remember the help which in former times they had received from heaven, and now to expect the victory and aid, which should come unto them from the Almighty. (KJV)

(Pls. read the above before you read further.  Thanks)

When in desperate need and in prayer before the Lord, we must remember to remember the past and what He did for us then.  A beautiful and very powerful aspect of prayer, even as you are on your knees and your eyes are moist because of the deep anguish in your heart for the circumstances of life have caused much pain, then look up into the eyes of the Lord and tell Him your situation.  Not that He doesn’t know it, but that He loves it when you come and tell Him what ails you, just as a human father would love his child to sit with him and tell him the problem.

Then pour out from your heart every word of praise you’ve ever made unto the Lord God.  Ring out your song to Him and let Him learn of the condition of your heart.  Chiefly, thank Him that soon you will see the might of His arm even as you saw it years ago when there was something similar which had taken your joy away.  Tell Him how, when you had looked at Him, He had flexed His muscles and kicked the problem out of your life, freeing you from its clutches.

My friend, honestly, I don’t understand, apart from the fact that you’re declaring the faithfulness of the Lord, why He works in our favor when we remember the past.  In fact it’s also there in His Word, when Moses tells the Israelites, ‘be careful that you do not forget the LORD, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery’ Deut. 6:12’.  I fail to understand what in our remembering does He like that He works in our favor instantly, but all I know is that He works.  It may be, if you’re able to remember Him, then again you’ll be faithful to Him and look up to Him.  Be that as it may, remember always to remember the favors of the Lord in the former times; and in that comfort, expect victory again and it will be yours.